Avoid The Clutter To Maximize Resources, Part 2

As discussed in the August Newsletter, the sheer amount of data and resources available at our fingertips is mindboggling. To get an idea of what I mean, go to your favorite search engine and type “help with [insert medical condition].” I searched “help with diabetes” and received 18.6 million results in less than one second. Now, that’s a lot of resources!
 
But with so much immediate data available at our fingertips, how do we avoid information overload? How do we avoid human freeze up so we can maximize resources and achieve more ideal outcomes? 
 
Start by taking an inventory of resources from key stakeholders and prioritize who has the greatest vested interest. The individual? Their Family? Their Employer? These have the most immediate impact on a person. Then, do the same and evaluate secondary and tertiary stakeholders.
 
Secondary stakeholders:  These stakeholders offer resources to help people because they typically have a financial interest in the individual.  Examples include: Medical professionals, hospitals, pharmacies, health insurance companies, pharmacy benefit management companies, schools, banks, subscription-based fitness centers, etc.
 
Tertiary stakeholders:  Examples of these include foundations that offer monetary assistance for individuals, religious/faith-based groups, and disease-specific foundations broadly focused on advocacy and education issues. 
 
Service providers (medical, dental, vision pharmacy, disability, etc.) are always working to differentiate themselves from competitors by using consumer tools. Ask your service providers what resources they have available to help your employees and meet with non-service providers with whom your employees and their families are likely to have a relationship. These include banks, hospitals, subscription fitness entities, and schools.
 
Next, look at similarities and differences of these resources and focus on a few that meet the needs of your employees. Determine if resources across providers duplicate themselves and focus on who your employees trust. To whom are they listening and where are they going for information? This will help you identify the most logical and trusted provider.
 
Then, create an inventory and evaluate where your employees are most willing to listen. The key is for one person to have access to the resources exactly when they want them.
Lastly, educate, advertise, and market! It might take a little while to sink in, but in the end, it’s totally worth it. 

Click here for access to our newsletter and to read the Part 1 of “Avoid the Clutter to Maximize Resources.”